International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 1, January - 2014

Analysis of Wheel Rim Using Finite Element Method

K. Venkateswara Rao and Dr. T. Dharmaraju
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajamundry

Abstract
The three dimensional model of the
wheel was designed using CATIA. Then
the IGES format 3D model was
imported into ANSYS. In the present
work a detailed static analysis displacement, maximum and minimum
vonmises stresses and fatigue analysis of
wheel rim under radial loads has been
done. The application of finite element
method for analyzing stress distribution
and fatigue life of wheel rim was
summarized.

1.Intorduction

2.Literature survey
Andrew D. Hartz (2002) formulated a
finite element model of the classical
bicycle wheel and compared published
results with those revealed by ANSYS.
Displacement ,strain and bending
characteristics of wheel were etermined.
The results indicated that ANSYS
modeling can be a useful tool for
analyzing simple structures such as the
classical bicycle wheel. Liangmo Wang
et.al(2009) proposed a new method for
evaluating the fatigue life, The
ABAQUS software was used to build
the static load finite element model of
aluminum wheels for rotary fatigue test..
The results indicated that the proposed
method of integrating finite element
analysis and nominal stress method was
good and efficient to predict the fatigue
life of aluminum wheels. Alexandru
Valentin Raduelescu et.al ( 2012)
analyzed the car rim with the finite
element method using the 40 loading
test The finite element analysis was
conducted in two stages- the analysis of
the state of stresses in the central area of
the rim for the intial and optimized
versions. The static stresses are studied
in order to find the zones with higher
stress concentration and to suggest the
better design solution. The results have
been compared to those obtained using
an experimental stand. Sunil N. Yadav
and N. S. Hanamapure (2013) analysed
the effect of camber angle on stress
distribution and fatigue life of wheel rim
of passenger car under radial load
condition which arises due to off road
field area and road unevenness. Finite
element analysis (FEA) is carried out by

IJE
RT

The rim of a wheel is the outer circular

design of the metal on which the inside
edge of the tire is mounted on vehicles
such as automobiles. Analysis of wheel
rim made with materials like alluminium
alloy, steel alloy, forged steel and
magnesium alloy is done for fatigue
strength.
The finite element method is a powerful
tool or the numerical procedure to
obtain solutions to many of the
problems encountered in engineering
analysis. In this method of analysis, a
complex region defining a continuum is
discretized into simple geometric shapes
called finite elements.The domain over
which the analysis is studied is divided
into a number of finite elements. The
material properties and the governing
relationship are considered over these
elements and expressed in terms of
unknown values at element corner.
In the static analysis of wheel rim
constraints will be applied on the
circumference of the rim.
Fatigue analysis is done in MSC fatigue
software, uses stress or strain results
from finite element (FE) models. Usage
of MSC fatigue brings fatigue analysis
up front in the design-to-manufacturing

process and creates an MCAE

environment for integrated durability
management.

IJERTV3IS10570

www.ijert.org

1259

International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 1, January - 2014

3. Analysis of wheel rim

Analysis detailed static analysis -displacement,

maximum and minimum vonmises stresses and
fatigue analysis of wheel rim under radial
loads,. We have consider the stell,aluminum
alloy and magnesium,forged steel for analysis
the analysis following steps
Material properties
Model of the whell rim
Importing the model
Boundary conditions and Loading
Application of load
3.1 Material properties

Forged steel:
Youngs modulus (E) =210000N/mm2
Yield stress=220 N/mm2
Density =7600kg/m3
3.2 Model of wheel rim
SOLID45 is used for the 3-D modeling of solid
structures. The element is defined by eight nodes
having three degrees of freedom at each node:
translations in the nodal x, y, and z directions.
Table No.1 wheel rim dimensions
450 mm

Hub hole diameter

150 mm

Bolt hole diameter

20 mm

Rim width

254 mm

3D Model of the wheel rim

Fig 1 Model of the wheel rim

3.3 Importing the model

The imported model is meshed by using
Hyper mesh. the meshed model is as
follows

Steel alloy:
Youngs modulus (E) =2.34*105 N/mm2
Yield stress=240 N/mm2
Density =7800kg/m3
Aluminum alloy:
Youngs modulus (E) =72000 N/mm2
Yield stress=160 N/mm2
Density =2800kg/m3
Magnesium alloy:
Youngs modulus (E) =45000N/mm2
Yield stress=130 N/mm2
Density =1800kg/m3

IJERTV3IS10570

Outer diameter

IJE
RT

simulating the test conditions to analyze

stress distribution and fatigue life of the
steel wheel rim of passenger carP.
Meghashyam-et.al(2013) proposed that
the modelling of the wheel rim is made
byusing CATIA. Later this CATIA model is
imported to ANSYS for analysis work.
ANSYS software is the latest used for
simulatingthe different forces, pressure
acting on the component and also for
calculating and viewing the results
ANSYS static analysis work is carried out
by considered two different materials
namely aluminium and forged steel and
their relative performances have been
observed respectively. Inaddition to this
rim is subjected to vibration analysis
(modal analysis), a part of dynamic
analysis is carried out its performance
isobserved. In this paper by observing
the results of both static and modal
analysis obtained forged steel is
suggested as best material

Fig 2: Meshing finished model

The meshed model (.hm file format) of
wheel rim is imported from Hyper Mesh
Software to ANSYS Software.by
(file>Import>IGES)
Later this meshed model is defined with
different materials namely steel,
Aluminum and Magnesium alloy and
forged steel subjected to static analysis

www.ijert.org

1260

International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 1, January - 2014

Aluminium alloy

Magnesium alloy

IJE
RT

Centrifugal force, F=mr2 N

=2*(22/7)*N/60 rad/s
Mass=24 kg
Speed=600 rpm
=62.8 rps
By substituting, we get centrifugal
force=21.3kN which acts at each node of the
circumference of the rim.
3.3 Boundary conditions and Loading:
To get compressive and tensile stress, a load of
21.3kN is applied on the bolt holes of the wheel
rim.
Displacements
a. Translation in x, y, z directions is
zero.
b. Rotation in x, y, z direction is zero.
Angular velocity in x direction is zero,
y direction is 62.8 rps
z direction is zero.
These conditions are applied on the six
holes provided on the rim.
In the same way, Centrifugal force is also
applied in the loading condition on the holes.
3.4 Application of load
After this meshed model is constrained at holes
by all DOF where the bolts has to be placed.
After constraining the meshed model, the model
is subjected to a centrifugal force of 21.3kN
Later the results were obtained in the SOLVER
module.Then analysis type is changed from
static command to modal command and solution
is done. Next solution results such as stress,
displacement, von mises, ultimate strength etc.
were calucated

Forged steel

4.1.1 Displacement graph for alloy wheels

4. RESULTS &DISCUSSION
4.1 Displacement of Alloy wheel

Steel alloy
Displacement graph for alloy wheels

IJERTV3IS10570

www.ijert.org

1261

International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 1, January - 2014

4.2 Stress plots for alloy wheels

4.3 Fatigue plots and S-N curves

Steel alloy

Steel alloy

Aluminium alloy

IJE
RT

Aluminium alloy

Magnesium alloy

Magnesium alloy

Forged steel

Forged steel
4.2.1 Stress Graph for Alloy wheels

Steel alloy

IJERTV3IS10570

www.ijert.org

1262

International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 1, January - 2014

Fatigue graph for alloy wheels

Materia
l

Aluminium alloy

Vonmisse
s stress
(Mpa)

Fatigue
strength
(cycles)

0.1663 140.056
2.17*105
Steel
alloy
48.326
1.32*105
Alumini 0.204
um alloy
1.2*105
Magnesi 0.2136 32.29
um alloy
1.97*105
Forged 0.1923 135.931
steel
Out of the different materials used steel alloy
was found to have greater vonmisses stress of
140.056Mpawhile magnesium alloy has the least
vonmisses stress of 32.29 Mpa. Steel alloy has
maximum number of cycles to
failureNf)=2.17*105Cycle While magnesium
alloy has the least Number of cycles to failure
(Nf) =1.2*105Cycles.

IJE
RT

Magnesium alloy

Displa
cemen
t
(mm)

5.Conclusion

Forged Steel
4.3.1 Fatigue graph for alloy wheels

In steel alloy the number of cycles to failure is

greater than Aluminium alloy, Magnesium alloy and
Forged steel. Hence Steel alloy is more feasible to be
used in wheel rim than other materials. Further
optimization of material thickness to reduce the
material consumption can be done and we can
improve life of component by using advanced fatigue
strain life approach.

6.References
[ 1] Andrew D. Hartz Finite Element Analysis of the
Classic Bicycle Wheel , Raytheon Engineering and
Production Support Indianapolis, Indiana ,July 18, 2002
[2] Liangmo Wang* - Yufa Chen - Chenzhi Wang Qingzheng Wang et.al the fatigue analysis of aluminium
wheel rim Strojniki vestnik - Journal of Mechanical
Engineering 57(2011)1, 31-39-jme.2009.046
[ 3] Alexandru Valentin Raduelescu Sorin Cananau -Irina
Radulescu et.al Mechanical testing methods concerning
the stress analysis for a vehicle wheel rim olume2, 33-39
[ 4] Sunil N. Yadav, et.al Modeling and Analysis of
Camber Angle on Fatigue Life of Wheel Rim of Passenger
Car by Using Radial Fatigue Testing ,International
Journal of Engineering Science and Innovative Technology
(IJESIT) Volume 2, Issue 5, September 2013
[ 5] P. Meghashyam- et.al Design andAnalysis of
Wheel Rim using CATIA & ANSYS international journal
of application or innovation in engineering
management,Volume 2, Issue 8, August 2013

IJERTV3IS10570

www.ijert.org

1263